Interesting contrast. With Scott Russo, she was fronting a hard rocking band and full of a tense energy. Her new one is very, very different.
It shows most in those songs, Silence is Violence and (especially) Crazy, that are repeated from the older album. The duet with Russo crackles with energy, but has a darkness to it. The new version starts with her laughing crazily, but her laugh is so engaging that it is anything but crazy/creepy. I won't say her edge is gone, but she seems to want to sheathe the knife for a while. It shows in her singing, and in the band. Various amplified, electrified, wild ride instruments are traded for, among other things, two kinds of ukeleles (RPH, you'll probably love at least that much). The reggae-like emphasis on rhythm and layers remains, but--well, a Chicago style stuffed pizza and a cake both have layers, too. But are they heavy or light and sweet layers?
It doesn't always work. There's one song that is a hard-edged blues number, and I'd really like to hear her sing that one in her Joan Jett mode. But that side of her just doesn't show up in any of these recordings.
I love it. Don't doubt it for a second. I think I've already figured it out. Scott and Aimee Sittin' in a Tree is for when I'm in a bad mood and need the therapeutic release. A Little Happiness is for when I'm in a good mood and don't want to spoil it.
Anyone who was worried that she'd do basically the same thing over and over can relax. Oh, and anyone who gets their panties in a knot when someone celebrates their religion can just skip the last track, too...